Kochi, March 29 -- In a major anti-drug operation at a five-star hotel in the city, eight persons - including a doctor, a lawyer, and an event management owner - were arrested here today.

Acting on a tip-off, the police conducted a raid and took the accused into custody, including women.

The arrested have been identified as Shaji Fernando, an event management owner and native of Shanghumukham in Thiruvananthapuram; Austin Jose from Kaloor; lawyer Rohit Nair; Jino Murali from Kodungallur; Akbar Shah, a nutritionist from Nooranad in Alappuzha; Bensi Ravuthar, a dentist; Seythalavi Fathima, a physiotherapist from Kollam; and Amal Rauf, an aviation student.

Police seized hybrid cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine and ecstasy pills from the gr...